Why not use ready mixed adhesive?

[mikeyb2]

Hi Forum, just bought some 100x100mm tiles from B&Q to do the kitchen bits from worktop to wall cupboards 450mm height. The tiles on display had a sticker on them saying use only powder adhesive, not ready mixed. I asked an assistant who said it probably would be alright to use ready mixed but wasn't sure. Nowhere on the packaging does it mention this, and the tiles are not natural stone and don't look like porcelain.Any ideas on this would be welcome.
Secondly, as I was browsing the adhesives the preparation advice suggests removing paint from surfaces before applying, on some adhesives but not on others.I am putting these tiles onto recently plastered walls which have been emulsioned, so they are perfectly flat. Is it really necessary to remove the paint or are there some adhesives that would be ok?
thanks Mike

 

[Dontiler]

remove the paint, you can do that with coarse sandpaper, prime the walls. make sure plaster is dry,
I wouldn't use ready mixed adhesive.
good luck

 

[DHTiling]

Hi mike...

Seen as tubbed adhesive dries by dispersion ( loses it moisture into substrate and tile biscuit) and keys onto the surface capillaries , then yes sand back the emulsion... sometimes a wetting with a sponge and then scrub with a scotch pad brings it off..depends on how many coats and paint type.

As for your tiles, then they might be moisture sensitive and using a slow setting tubbed adhesive might cause staining to the tile from the biscuit through to the face... if it say's to use powdered then use it IMHO.. and flat back skim each tile in-case they are moisture sensitive... but with out actually knowing or seeing the tile, then it is hard to say why they advise this..

 

[mikeyb2]

Hi mike...

Seen as tubbed adhesive dries by dispersion ( loses it moisture into substrate and tile biscuit) and keys onto the surface capillaries , then yes sand back the emulsion... sometimes a wetting with a sponge and then scrub with a scotch pad brings it off..depends on how many coats and paint type.

As for your tiles, then they might be moisture sensitive and using a slow setting tubbed adhesive might cause staining to the tile from the biscuit through to the face... if it say's to use powdered then use it IMHO.. and flat back skim each tile in-case they are moisture sensitive... but with out actually knowing or seeing the tile, then it is hard to say why they advise this..

thanks for the replies, so i think I'll sand back the paint. I'm not sure about the dispersion thing though, as powdered adhesive dries by dispersion once you have mixed it with water and if the tiles are water sensitive, surely neither tubbed nor powder would do. Or am I missing something here?

 

[DHTiling]

Powdered adhesive dries by chemical hydration and this can be dry in as little as 2 hrs.. tubbed adhesive will take a min of 24 hrs.. so the tiles are subject to moisture a lot longer...hence moisture can soak back into the tile over a longer period... but i will say that if the tiles are ceramic, then really little chance of this being a concern... just needed to point this out though..

 

[Muse2k8]

Just play it safe and get some powder

 

[mikeyb2]

Powdered adhesive dries by chemical hydration and this can be dry in as little as 2 hrs.. tubbed adhesive will take a min of 24 hrs.. so the tiles are subject to moisture a lot longer...hence moisture can soak back into the tile over a longer period... but i will say that if the tiles are ceramic, then really little chance of this being a concern... just needed to point this out though..

thanks Dave, that makes a little more sense so I'll take your advice and go the powder route. Is there a Powder you could recommend which would be suitable for most materials regardless of what the tiles are made of?( I've seen some that are for ceramic only and some porcelain etc.)

 

[Muse2k8]

What colour are the tiles?

 

[mikeyb2]

What colour are the tiles?

they're called metallic cream but more of a light beige to me.

 

[Muse2k8]

I would suggest BAL CTF3 (White) adhesive.

 

[Dan]

Fairly typical of B&Q that, just look on the box. It never ever says on the box what you fix the tile with. So not sure why they'd look on the box. It rarely even says the tile name on the box unless it's on a sticker that's been added before shipping.

 

[mikeyb2]

Fairly typical of B&Q that, just look on the box. It never ever says on the box what you fix the tile with. So not sure why they'd look on the box. It rarely even says the tile name on the box unless it's on a sticker that's been added before shipping.

took a tile in today to the Topps man who said it's just an ordinary ceramic tile and said Bal Green star ready mixed would be alright, so preferring to use ready stuff if I can , was wondering what the Mapei(Buildfix at B&Q) Ultimate Grab would be like as it's a lot cheaper than the Bal.
The Bal Green Star says on the tub it can be used on most substrates including paint, so maybe would save me a bit of work getting the emulsion off. Would the Mapei Ultimate Grab be ok over paint also?(I have scored the surface with rough sandpaper,but would take a lot of work to get it off completely and my arthritis won't take it!)

 

[Muse2k8]

Go for the bal green star if you want a ready mixed, remember you get what you pay for.

I would still key the paint before using though, just rough it up, to make sure the adhesive sticks.

However we can only advise you on what we think is best.

 

[Bolter]

Bostik Bostik OPF - One Part Flexible - Cement based, polymer enhanced tile adhesive

this stuff is excellent, good pot life, sets in 24 hours, but you'd be hard pushed to move the tile after it has been laid for 10 minutes. Easily searchable stockists on google.

 

[mikeyb2]

Go for the bal green star if you want a ready mixed, remember you get what you pay for.

I would still key the paint before using though, just rough it up, to make sure the adhesive sticks.

However we can only advise you on what we think is best.

I appreciate the advice and I'm sure your right, but being an amateur on a budget I'm looking for the easy way and cheapest without compromising on the quality, that's why I ask about the Mapei stuff after reading so much praise for their products on this forum. The Green Star is £19.99 for 15kg and the Mapei is about £12 for 15kg so quite a big difference.
Thanks again for your input.